Pedro Said:

Need some Feedback on 4 Year Old with Speech Problems.....?

We Answered:

If your son has some form of dyspraxia, then PROMPT may be very helpful for him, but I would need more information to be certain. From your description it does sound likely.

What concerns me is your report that you don't know what they're doing in Speech Therapy. You and your Speech Pathologists should be working together on this. Speech Pathologists only see children for about an hour; you see them for the other 23 hours! Very little can be achieved in that hour if home practice is not being rigorously observed. Speak with his Speech Pathologists and work together on goals and home programming. Progress is EXTREMELY slow if children do not practice at home.

Rosemary Said:

Speech delay in 2 year old, what else can we do?

We Answered:

Having him in the special education program is appropriate, and it's probably not possible to know how he will progress. But it sounds like you are doing the right things. You are getting help for him, you have checked out possible medical problems. I do encourage you to continue to use signs with your son. He does not have adequate means to communicate with you verbally, but he certainly wants to communicate and he needs to. You can use language (you probably do) at the same time you sign.

There are many reasons for speech delays. Sometimes there is only a language disorder and sometimes there are other problems as well, such as a mental impairment or autism. Since he is in child development classes and is receiving speech therapy I am assuming that these are special education services and he has an IEP. The evaluation team should have evaluated your son in any area in which a delay in development was suspected. If they think he might have another disorder they should share that with you. Ask them if they do.

And just to be clear: you did not say anything in your question that made me suspect either a mental impairment or autism. You did not say anything that made me suspect any other areas of delay.

Audrey Said:

"My 2 year old repeats anything said to her?

We Answered:

These days everybody assumes any issue with speech is Autism!! If your daughter doesn't have any other symptoms the chances that it is Autism are very slim. A lot of 2 year olds echo back what is said. If the Speech Therapist isn't concerned I wouldn't be either.

Lonnie Said:

Is my 2 year old's picky eating just a phase or should we really get him occupational therapy?

We Answered:

Wow, this is a tough call for you. You don't want to deny your son any treatment, however is it really necessary? Do you pay for speech, meaning do you think they are looking for extra money? I just had my 20 mth old evaluated for speech therapy a few days ago (it's through human services). They asked me tons of questions about her chewing and swallowing and drooling (which she is fine with all of these). But, they didn't seem concerned about the foods she eats, just how she eats them.

The foods you listed sound like the typical kid foods (I know: I have a 7 year old, 4 year old, and a 20 mth old). Many kids do only like finger foods at that age. I would think occupational therapy would be if he was having difficulty chewing, swallowing, or did a lot of drooling. Have you ever tried an ice cream cone or fed him pudding or mac and cheese? How did he do with those?

Perhaps you should give yourself a time frame. Say 2 months. During this time give him a spoon/fork with every meal so he can practice (cut up his nuggets and cheese so he can pick them up with utensils). See how he does. Does he chew and swallow ok? Also start introducing new foods. If you see improvement, leave him be. If not, then follow up with the OT.

And as far as him not sitting still...He just turned 2. As long as he can sit and complete a task, I wouldn't worry.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Gwendolyn Said:

Worried about my 2 year old's speech?

We Answered:

Hi.

Firstly I'd like to say that based on your picture, I'd have NEVER guessed you had a 2yo son (and that's a compliment by the way - trolls with the thumbs down attitudes, can bugger off) I'm not a parent yet, but I am an uncle to a two year old nephew and he hasn't started talking properly yet either.

A few quick questions/comments for you to consider...

#1 are you talking to him all the time?
I'm guessing you are, maybe you need to change your tone of voice because he doesn't understand you enough to learn words.

#2 does he go to a play group?
That exposes him to other children in his own age group and that will help

#3 do you play music to him?
Singing along to "baby tunes" (like those provided by pre-school television) helps, so he can read your lips and learn mouth movements.

#4 is he your first child?
From asking my friends at different times about their children, it seems to be the general case that first-born children are [not always, but mostly always] the slowest to learn because they don't have any siblings to follow and copy - note that this isn't universal, just a fair majority...

Also - if you or the boys father were slow starters for talking then it may just be a genetic characteristic. When he does start talking, you'll have trouble keeping him quiet! At two years old, I don't think you have much to worry about, he's just a slow starter!
.

Mike Said:

Parents this one is for you....speech problem in a 7 year old?? read on..?

We Answered:

I have a cousin who had the same problem when he was little. He has a very pronounced underbite and his tongue would sometimes stick out of his mouth when he relaxed it. He would say things that sounded like "come ove heeow" for come over here, or "white now" for right now. He didn't go through any therapy and sure enough there was plenty of teasing both at school and at home fromthe other kids. He's now 15 and I guess he outgrew it or figured out a way to discipline his own tongue muscles. I'm not sure what to say other than not making fun of her or making her feel like there is something "wrong" with her. She may outgrow it... worst case scenario, she'll loose her "r"s and still be a wonderful and successful person... it worked for Barbara Walters... good luck and best wishes.